Abstract

Introduction: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a common clinical condition diagnosed in ENT out patients department (OPD). There appears paucity of data on the incidence and pattern of bacterial and fungal flora in patients presenting with ear discharge. Materials and Methods: A total of 180 consecutive patients with CSOM attending the ENT OPD of a tertiary care hospital in North India were included in the study. 3 swabs were used to collect the ear discharge and were processed for isolation of bacterial and fungal organisms. The bacterial isolates thus obtained were tested for antibiotic susceptibility testing. Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were also tested for methicillin resistance. Fungal growth was identified and antifungal susceptibility testing of yeast isolates was done using standard recommended procedures. Results: Microbiological profile of total 180 cases revealed, bacteria alone in 68.9% cases, bacteria along with fungi in 15.6% cases and fungi alone in 8.3% cases. Amongst these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common bacterium isolated (34.9%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (24.4%). Out of the fungal isolates obtained, Aspergillus nigerwas the commonest isolate (29.4%) followed by Candida albicans (19.5%). MRSA strains were 37%. Among the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, maximum resistance was found to Ciprofloxacin (74.2%) followed by GentamicinandCeftazidime. AllCandida species were sensitive to Fluconazole, Itraconazole and Voriconazole. Conclusion: Considering the emergence of bacterial resistance and the availability of wide spectrum of newer antimicrobial agents, it is important to know the pattern of infections and the antimicrobial sensitivity of the isolates.